Ontarians Can’t Keep Up With Skyrocketing Hydro Increases – NDP

Queen’s Park, Toronto – Ontarians are using less electricity, but for the eighth year in a row, people will see the cost of hydro increase by more than nine percent.

This Wednesday, April 20th, 2016, Ontario NDP Energy Critic Peter Tabuns, MPP Toronto-Danforth, called on the Liberal government to get hydro costs under control, and start putting the needs of people and Ontario businesses ahead of private power companies.

“When Ontarians use less energy, the should pay less. People are doing their part; it’s time for the Liberals to do their part,” said Tabuns. “The Liberals are putting the interests of private power donors ahead of families and businesses. Instead of getting results for families and small businesses, the Minister is signing more high-cost private power contracts that help Liberal donors.”

Hydro bills in Ontario are projected to increase by more than nine percent which is faster than inflation and faster than average wage growth. The Ontario Chamber of Commerce reported that one in 20 Ontario businesses may close due to high energy costs in the next five years.

“Ontarians and Ontario businesses can’t keep up with skyrocketing hydro rates. Instead of dealing with the problem, the Minister is making it even worse. If people think the bad decisions by the Liberals are costing them now, just wait until the new private shareholders at Hydro One start demanding bigger profit margins,” said Tabuns.

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